Corrections commissioner would improve dental care and assess partnerships

The corrections commissioner must identify and evaluate options for partnering with nonstate organizations to provide dental services. The review covers partnerships to provide dental services in correctional facilities. The options must include accredited dentistry and dental hygiene schools, supervised student or trainee programs, and mobile dental clinics.

The corrections commissioner must improve dental services by increasing preventive care, restorative and gum treatments, and access to urgent and emergency care. The services are for people in correctional facilities.

The corrections commissioner must report on the partnership options and make recommendations to legislative committees. The report goes to legislative committees responsible for public safety and corrections policy and funding. The report must recommend partnerships that could improve dental services, ways to pay for them, and other legislative steps that may be needed. The report is due by January 15, 2027.

The text provides for fiscal year 2027 general fund appropriations to the corrections commissioner for dental services and the partnership review and report. The money is for improving dental services in correctional facilities and evaluating and reporting on partnerships. The appropriation amounts are blank in the text. The appropriation for the partnership evaluation and report is one-time. Both appropriations are for fiscal year 2027; the partnership evaluation and report appropriation is one-time.